Kuala Lumpur Airport Visitor Guide 2024: Everything you need to know

Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia is the country's largest and busiest airport. The relatively modern facility opened in the 1990s and replaced the smaller Subang International Airport. KLIA is located at some distance from the center of Kuala Lumpur in a high-tech business district known as the Multimedia Super Corridor. Kuala Lumpur's famous twin skyscrapers, the Petronas Towers, are also situated in the same zone.

The massive installation of Kuala Lumpur International Airport covers an area of over thirty-five square miles and has two terminals - KLIA1 and KLIA2 – and three runways. With, on average, over sixty million passengers using the airport every year, it's no place to be stuck with your baggage if you want to explore. 

KLIA1 and KLIA2 are two kilometers apart and it's not possible to walk from one to the other. Before you take the free shuttle service between the terminals, deposit your bags with a luggage storage service at KLIA and you'll be unburdened when you board the bus.

Bag policy at Kuala Lumpur Airport

At most airports worldwide the size of your carry-on baggage is controlled by the airline you are flying with. At KLIA there are size restrictions for cabin bags put in place by the airport authorities, Malaysia Airports, as well as the various airlines using the facility. No cabin luggage can exceed 56cm x 36cm x 23cm and must weigh no more than seven kilos.

Additional bags containing cameras and laptops, any handbags or duty-free purchases made at the airport are allowed onboard at the discretion of the relevant airline only, so check what's permitted by your flight company before attempting to board with them.

Food policy at Kuala Lumpur Airport

Eating at Kuala Lumpur Airport is a gastronomical delight. Even if you're not keen on Asian food, you'll be able to find something that tickles the fancy of your Western palate without any problem at all. Each terminal has such an extensive array of food outlets you'll be hard put to decide which one you want to eat in. There's everything on offer from noodles to fried chicken, dim sum, stir-fries, or burgers. If you want something to take onboard, there are plenty of grab-and-go places where you can pick up a sandwich and coffee to take away too.

Camera policy at Kuala Lumpur Airport

It is allowed to take photographs while you're at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, but you should be careful to adhere to the relevant data protection and privacy rules when doing so. Before including any person you don't know personally in one of your shots you must ask their permission and defer from pressing the shutter button if they don't agree. Taking photographs of airport staff, the check-in desks, airport security or cameras, and any police officers is strictly prohibited, so don't do it unless you want to get your camera confiscated. The use of tripods for personal photography is not permitted.

Rules at Kuala Lumpur Airport

There are general rules in place at KLIA which are in line with most other airports. Carrying large quantities of liquids in your hand baggage is not allowed. Any liquids must be less than 50ml in size and stored in a transparent and sealable plastic bag that has a capacity of no more than one liter. The bag containing the liquids must be separated from your carry-on bag while passing through the security checkpoint. After you've checked in your large suitcases be sure to keep your hand luggage with you at all times. If you don't want to do that then you must use a storage locker at KLIA.

Lockers at Kuala Lumpur Airport

Kuala Lumpur International Airport is immense and if you're on a layover or have time to spare before boarding your flight, you'll find there are some amazing things to do there. If you want to take a walk along the airport's Jungle Boardwalk you'd be wise to store your bags first so you're completely unencumbered to enjoy the tropical botanical gardens.

There are several luggage storage options at KLIA distributed throughout both terminals that are suitable for short-term use. Prices to use the facility are based on the size of your luggage rather than the length of time you want to leave it for. The larger your bag is the more it costs.

If you're not going straight to the airport or want to see the Petronas Towers before taking off, you may find a Bounce luggage locker in Kuala Lumpur more convenient. Bounce has more than a dozen suitcase storage sites around the city and all you pay to use them is a minimal daily fee for each bag no matter what size it is.